Valentine. Then know that I have little wealth to lose:
A man I am cross'd with adversity;
1565My riches are these poor habiliments,
Of which if you should here disfurnish me,
You take the sum and substance that I have.

Third Outlaw. Know, then, that some of us are gentlemen,
Such as the fury of ungovern'd youth
Thrust from the company of awful men:
Myself was from Verona banished
For practising to steal away a lady,
1600An heir, and near allied unto the duke.

Second Outlaw. And I from Mantua, for a gentleman,
Who, in my mood, I stabb'd unto the heart.

First Outlaw. And I for such like petty crimes as these,
But to the purpose—for we cite our faults,
1605That they may hold excus'd our lawless lives;
And partly, seeing you are beautified
With goodly shape and by your own report
A linguist and a man of such perfection
As we do in our quality much want—
1610

Second Outlaw. Indeed, because you are a banish'd man,
Therefore, above the rest, we parley to you:
Are you content to be our general?
To make a virtue of necessity
And live, as we do, in this wilderness?
1615

Third Outlaw. What say'st thou? wilt thou be of our consort?
Say ay, and be the captain of us all:
We'll do thee homage and be ruled by thee,
Love thee as our commander and our king.